Senior Controls Engineer

About Novarc Technologies:

Are you looking to join an industry leader and pioneer in the world of robotics and AI?

Novarc Technologies is a Vancouver-based full-stack robotics and AI company specializing in the design and commercialization of cobots and AI systems for robotic welding applications. As a Canadian pioneer in the field of collaborative robotics, Novarc has a dedicated team of engineers and scientists eager to solve challenging industrial automation problems. Novarc’s flagship product Spool Welding Robot (SWR) is the world’s first welding cobot.

Novarc’s SWR has already won multiple industry awards, been featured in top publications, and generated significant revenue). Our diverse team consists of engineers, developers, technicians, welders, scientists who are designing and building the welding industry’s most advanced automation solutions with the passion of helping our customers win.

Why Novarc:

• 'A' Players: Our team is made up of talented, intelligent, and hardworking people. If you are an 'A' player, you will enjoy the intellectually stimulating, challenging, and respectfully competitive atmosphere.

• Growing Quickly: There are so many opportunities for Novarcians to try on a multitude of hats and, with time, define their own role.

• We care about your growth: Each Novarcian has an annual personal development budget to build new skills or further develop current knowledge.

• Ownership opportunities: Depending on position, performance, and longevity, Novarcians are awarded options in the company.

Intermediate/Senior Controls Engineer:

Our never-before-seen welding cobots require customization and R&D. We are looking for an Intermediate or Senior Controls Engineer to join our growing team and support the development and growth of our cobots.

As an Intermediate/Senior Controls Engineer, reporting to the Controls and Automation Manager, you will be responsible for developing amazing new features (from classic motion control all the way to artificial-intelligence-driven features) and troubleshooting the welding robots integrated with our welding intelligence package. You are a critical link in the team and your creativity and knowledge will enable the continued success of our robots!

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and test custom PLC software, HMI interfaces, and motion control programs tailored to project requirements.

• Select, test, and integrate automation components, including motion controllers, servos, VFDs, vision systems, lasers, and industrial robots.

• Commission and debug control systems in-house and provide on-site or remote support, and training.

• Travel occasionally (5-10%) to customer and supplier sites to perform installation, commissioning and training duties.

• Perform continuous improvement initiatives to improve safety, enhance functionality and reduce cost.

• Partner with project managers, software and hardware developers, welders, and electricians to deliver fully functional, safe, and cost-effective automation systems.

• Perform root-cause analysis on recurring customer service and field issues and implement robust, long-term solutions.

• Create and maintain project documentation, technical documentation, control narratives, and user manuals for control systems, and notify internal teams upon feature rollout.

• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Software, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Minimum 3–5 years of hands-on PLC programming experience.

• Minimum 2 years experience with developing HMI software, tags, and addressing.

• Minimum 2 years experience with motion control, servos, VFDs, and robotics applications.

• Experience with different communication protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, Devicenet, etc.

• Practical experience with DC circuit design, electrical panel wiring, and point-to-point system troubleshooting.

• Experience with industrial robots such as ABB, Fanuc, Yaskawa, or UR.

• Strong knowledge of control theory, feedback control, data filtering, and different control strategies such as PID, and MPC.

• Strategic, critical thinking and analytical skills for structured problem-solving and control system design.

• Strong written and verbal communication, and time management skills.

• Registration as an EIT or PEng through EGBC is preferred but not required.

Preferred Additional Qualifications:

• Familiarity with welding

• Familiarity with safety PLCs, safety standards, and risk assessment

Schedule:

• Core hours: Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm (PST)

• Flexibility to work outside of 8-5 when needed to support remote installs in North America or outside North America in other time zones

Why Novarc:

• Growing Opportunities - We are in the process of maturing into a fast-growing medium-sized business.

• Great place to be - We have created a fun, adventurous, and open-minded environment where our teams are encouraged to bond and express their unique selves.

• Best People - Our team is made up of talented, intelligent, and hardworking people.

• Lots of Opportunities - We are constantly looking for stand-out talent internally to move into leadership positions.

We are excited to invite you to join our growing team for this amazing journey!

"Novarc provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, national or ethnic origin, color, political belief, marital or family status, religion, special abilities, age, sex or sexual orientation, or a criminal conviction or charge that is unrelated to employment of to the intended employment of that person. This applies to all our practices of recruitment, selection, promotion, training and development, health and safety, and compensation."